| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds. |
Master Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Master's Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Master's Degree.
A master's degree deepens expertise and often unlocks specialized, supervisory, or higher-paying roles beyond a bachelor's degree. For people weighing whether advanced study will meaningfully expand their career options. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Doctorate Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Doctorate Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Master Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with a Master's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Master's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Master's Degree. - 105 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Masters Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Set and Exhibit Designers.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Set and Exhibit Designers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Set and Exhibit Designers
Description: Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Set and Exhibit Designers":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
29,700U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
32,400
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
2,700 (9.1%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
3,100
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Confer with conservators to determine how to handle an exhibit's environmental aspects, such as lighting, temperature, and humidity, so that objects will be protected and exhibits will be enhanced. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Coordinate the removal of sets, props, and exhibits after productions or events are complete. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Coordinate the transportation of sets that are built off-site, and coordinate their setup at the site of use. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Arrange for outside contractors to construct exhibit structures. |
| Importance: 50 (%) | Description: Select and purchase lumber and hardware necessary for set construction. |
| Importance: 38 (%) | Description: Provide supportive materials for exhibits and displays, such as press kits, advertising, publicity notices, posters, brochures, catalogues, and invitations. |
| Importance: 35 (%) | Description: Incorporate security systems into exhibit layouts. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Build models, patterns, or templates. | |
| Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions. | |
| Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work. | |
| Confer with clients to determine needs. | |
| Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes. | |
| Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits. | |
| Coordinate construction or installation activities. | |
| Coordinate design activities. | |
| Coordinate logistics for productions or events. | |
| Design layout of art or product exhibits, displays, or promotional materials. | |
| Determine technical requirements of productions or projects. | |
| Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes. | |
| Discuss production content and progress with others. | |
| Draw detailed or technical illustrations. | |
| Estimate costs for projects or productions. | |
| Inspect sets or exhibits. | |
| Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products. | |
| Maintain security. | |
| Present work to clients for approval. | |
| Promote products, activities, or organizations. | |
| Select materials or props. | |
| Study scripts to determine project requirements. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: History and Archeology: Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Assemble products or work aids. |
| Activity: Build structures. |
| Activity: Communicate with others about specifications or project details. |
| Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications. |
| Activity: Create artistic designs or performances. |
| Activity: Create decorative objects or parts of objects. |
| Activity: Create visual designs or displays. |
| Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures. |
| Activity: Direct construction or extraction activities. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities. |
| Activity: Estimate project development or operational costs. |
| Activity: Explain technical details of products or services. |
| Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products. |
| Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise. |
| Activity: Maintain safety or security. |
| Activity: Promote products, services, or programs. |
| Activity: Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products. |
| Activity: Select materials or equipment for operations or projects. |
| Activity: Study details of artistic productions. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||
| Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Revit | |||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||
| Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop | |||||
| Office suite software: | |||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Trimble SketchUp Pro | |||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||
| Microsoft Access Oracle Database Structured query language SQL | |||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||
| Adobe InDesign | |||||
| Document management software: | |||||
| Adobe Acrobat | |||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||
| Microsoft Outlook | |||||
| Operating system software: | |||||
| UNIX | |||||
| Presentation software: | |||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||
| Video creation and editing software: | |||||
| Adobe After Effects | |||||
| Word processing software: | |||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||
| General Software Tools | |||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||
| AutoDesSys form Z Computer aided design and drafting CADD software McNeel Rhinoceros 3D Nemetschek Vectorworks Spotlight | |||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||
| Autodesk Maya Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite Graphics software | |||||
| Video creation and editing software (scroll table below): | |||||
|
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
| Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
| These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 33.3 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 33.3 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 42.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 23.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA)
| |
Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Set and Exhibit Designers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Set and Exhibit Designers
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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